Queso Helado, Peru

Queso Helado, Peru

Queso Helado, Peru

The proper translation of this tasty treat is literally "cheese ice cream." Fortunately, there's no actual cheese in it; the name stems from its traditional preparation, which makes the dish look more like sliced cheese than a scoop of ice cream.

Queso helado is reminiscent of frozen rice pudding flavored with cinnamon. Some say it's like creamy shaved ice. It's made from sweet milk with a touch of coconut or cinnamon. Arequipa, Peru, might be the birthplace of queso helado, as noted by the excessive number of shops and street carts advertising their own version.